NEWS
Adventist doctor named NSW Senior of the Year
Sydney, New South Wales

Adventist doctor John Knight has been awarded NSW
Senior Australian of the Year.
Dr Knight, 89, said he was surprised to receive the
award, which was presented to him by the Premier Mike
Baird at a special function on November 7.
“You don’t look for it, you don’t expect it and all of a
sudden you are shaking hands with the Premier who is
saying nice things to you,” Dr Knight said.
In 1973, he and his late wife Noreen established MediAid Centre Foundation, a charity that provides accommodation for the elderly, particularly those who are frail, have
no family support and no home.
Dr Knight has battled through heartbreak, personal and
financial loss and cancer, but he has kept buying property
for Medi-Aid and now has almost 1000 investments that
are rented out for a small fee.
“My dad used to be the chaplain at the San [Sydney
Adventist Hospital] at Wahroonga,” he said. “He used to
say the person who gives really gets more out of it than
the person who is receiving it.
“Some of [those I have helped] are the nicest people
who have just had bad luck or something goes wrong.
“We enjoy [helping them] and I have a good team.”
Dr Knight, also known as Dr James Wright, answered

the nation’s medical
queries in print, radio and as a regular
guest on daytime
variety show Midday
with Ray Martin for
30 years. He was
also a regular guest
on Adventist Media’s Record InFocus
program and has
had a short daily
Dr John Knight.
health segment on
Sydney radio station
2GB since 1980. He was awarded the Order of Australia in
1998.
A regular attendee at Fox Valley church, Dr Knight is
described as a “very encouraging man” with a “generous
and caring heart” by the church’s pastor Mark Baines.
“Charisma, humour and warmth exude from Doc Wright
every time he greets me on Sabbath,” Pastor Baines said.
“He’s always asking about the welfare of my little boys
and tells me to enjoy them while they’re young.”—Tracey
Bridcutt

New leader appointed for Pacific Adventist University
Koiari Park, Papua New Guinea

The president of an Adventist university in Mexico, Dr
Raul Lozano, has accepted the call to head up Pacific Adventist University (PAU) on the outskirts of Port Moresby in
Papua New Guinea (PNG).
In his acceptance letter to the General Conference, Dr
Lozano said he and his family had carefully considered
and prayed about the appointment, which he described
as a great honour. “It is my desire to collaborate with all
my strength, influence and speech in the finishing of the
preaching of the gospel so that Jesus our Lord may return
soon,” he said in his letter.
Dr Lozano currently heads up Linda Vista University in
Chiapas state, Mexico, an Adventist institution that graduates bachelor and masters students in education, business,
science, theology and information technology. Mexico is
part of the Church’s largest world region by membership,
the Inter-American Division, where 3.7 million people are
officially listed as Adventists. A move to the South Pacific
Division has necessitated the involvement of the General
Conference world headquarters.
Dr Lozano will have big shoes to fill. Outgoing vicechancellor Professor Ben Thomas has served at PAU for

nine years, six of those in his current position. In that
time student numbers have more than doubled, with 2017
enrolments expected to exceed 1200. Professor Thomas
has overseen multiple building projects—classrooms and
accommodation—as well as formalising links with Atoifi
School of Nursing in Solomon Islands and strengthening
PAU’s research and pastoral programs.
“It has been a tremendous and rewarding journey that we have
undertaken together,” said
Professor Thomas. “I am
honoured to have been
able to work with the people of the Pacific in such
close collaboration. Dr
Lozano is expected to arrive in early February, and I
look forward to introducing
him to key players in PNG
and ensuring a smooth
Dr Raul Lozano.
transition.”—Kent Kingston

FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND FEATURES VISIT

record.adventistchurch.com
record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

3

EDITORIAL
The twin towers
Jarrod Stackelroth
It was our first visit to New York. We were only there
for 24 hours—but my wife and I were determined to make
the most of it. Naturally, we ended up at the World Trade
Centre site, where, on September 11, 2001, two titans of
the NYC skyline came crashing down, changing the world
forever. We weren’t sure how we would feel about visiting
the monument.
In the ground, where the buildings once stood, are two
dark squares. If you approach the edge and look over,
you see a pool of water, which flows into an inner square,
forming a waterfall in the middle. It has the appearance
of flowing into nothing. Around the square, the names of
the fallen are written. As you read the names some have
flowers stuck into them, but most are alike, too many to
comprehend, engraved on the face of the monument. Yet
one especially stood out to me. It said: “Renee and her
unborn child.” We found two or three like this. For some
reason those names moved me more than the others.
Most of us can remember where we were on that day.
Two towers, two monuments to man’s endeavour and
enterprise, came down. However, it was not just lives that
were ended and bricks and mortar destroyed that day.
Since then attitudes have adapted, morals have moved
and there is a new normal. Society, especially Western
society, seems to have changed in a fundamental way.
Two words: conceit and contempt. These twin towers
have become natural reactions to anything we disagree
with or oppose. They have been incubated by the internet,
fed by the media and fostered by our own innate sense of
insecurity and comparison. From the height of these towers it’s easy to sling stones and mud.
This was brought home to me by another 9/11—this
time, this year—the day Donald Trump won the presidential election.1 I am not going to comment on the outcome.
But I need to comment on the reactions surrounding the
presidential campaign.
Conceit is a feeling that I am better than you and contempt follows: a feeling of disgust and dismissal. Why are
they such a problem?
They shut down discussion, debate and disagreement.
Glenn Townend Senior consulting editor
Jarrod Stackelroth Senior editor
Kent Kingston Assistant editor
Vania Chew Assistant editor
Dora Amuimuia Graphic designer
Tracey Bridcutt Copyeditor
Linden Chuang Assistant editor—digital
Maritza Brunt Assistant editor
Naomi Hurst Noticeboard
twitter.com/RECORDadventist

They create an “us versus them” paradigm. They cause us
to treat people as less than human.
Conceit is wrapped up in the sin of pride. The media
didn’t take Trump seriously. He was a walking, talking
meme. A joke. It meant that they underestimated him. It
gave his campaign energy as those disillusioned with the
status quo silently supported his strategy of disruption.
Contempt is poisonous because it represents loss of
respect. Marriage expert John Gottman lists contempt as
one of the greatest dangers to a marriage. It’s the very
mindset that is now commonly displayed against Christians. Karl Faase, pastor and social commentator, says
that as Christians we have lost our social licence. In other
words the influence we used to have on society is gone.
Worse, if we speak up or have an opinion on anything,
we are treated with contempt. And so faith in a Creator
God, support of traditional marriage or opposition to abortion are not taken on their merits or able to be rationally
discussed. Conversation is shut down. We are labelled.
And yet Christians too are playing the conceit and
contempt game. My news feed was filled with the voices
of Christians who had fallen into the contempt trap, blaming white men for the US election result and falling into
the hatred and prejudice that they are supposed to stand
against. Proverbs 18:3 says, “when wickedness comes, so
does contempt . . .”
As Christians, we must put thought into how we respond to situations (especially those we don’t like), what
we share online and our attitudes, because of Who we
represent.
We should: 1) question everything 2) take our time
before jumping to conclusions or judgements 3) try to see
the image of God in every human being, and 4) disagree
with ideas and policies, not people.
Jesus showed us how to deal with conceit and contempt. He called out conceit and He prayed for His enemies who showed Him contempt. May we do the same.
1. Yes, I am aware Americans do dates backwards. Bear with me.

Official news magazine of the South Pacific
Division Seventh-day Adventist Church
ABN 59 093 117 689
Vol 121 No 23

INSIGHT
INSIGHT

Question Time

Is this the end?
Kent Kingston
Organisations decline and there’s no human reason to expect that the
Adventist Church is exempt.
In 1965 psychologist Bruce Tucker came up with five memorable labels
for the stages of organisational development: forming, storming, norming,
performing and adjourning.
“Forming” is exciting—it’s when a group has its first enthusiasm and begins to work spontaneously towards a goal. But you’ll never see a sequel to
Tell the World. Because the next chapters of our Church’s history deal with
the difficult “storming” phase: 1888, the Kelloggs, Ellen White’s removal to
far-off Australia. Not particularly inspirational.
Since the Adventist Church’s establishment in 1863, there has certainly
been a lot of “norming”—establishing leadership, institutions, official statements—and “performing”—membership growth to nearly 20 million and an
incredible global impact in health and education.
So far our denomination has followed the inexorable trajectory of organisational development—from a grassroots movement to an established
institution. “Adjourning” is next. The organisation is approaching the end of
its natural life cycle.
The plateauing of membership numbers in parts of the world where
Adventism is the oldest could be seen as an early sign of organisational
decline, along with ageing demographics and an increasing willingness to
minimise our peculiarities. Is this the end? Here are three strategies that
may help us avoid the inevitable:
1. Empower the margins. To find the authentic spirit of movement
Adventism look to new converts, church plants, student outreach groups,
pioneer missionaries and emerging ministries. That’s where the action is.
Lines are increasingly blurred as you approach the borders. Budgets are
hazy, plans are fluid. But if Adventism is to recover its movement mentality
it needs to nurture the innovation at its margins—to offer effective support
without strangling fresh initiatives in red tape.
2. Revitalise the centre. Adventism is institutionalised. It has to be.
Legally, financially and in terms of human resources, church leaders are
accountable for their decisions. But it’s so easy to get bogged down in the
bureaucracy and forget the reasons these institutions exist. To reverse this
“mission drift” we need to find ways to increase the exposure of institutional personnel to the frontlines as well as improving the representation
of innovators at key decision-making forums. Meaningful shifts in organisational culture will only be achieved by structural change—streamlining,
transparency, responsiveness, democratisation.
3. First things first. It’s a pity Dr Ted Wilson’s “Revival and Reformation”
is now yesterday’s catchcry, because it encapsulates a message we need to
keep hearing. Whether we’re on the cutting edge of mission efforts or deep
in the bowels of the denomination, we need Jesus. All the clever strategies
in the world will flounder unless there is genuine spiritual power infusing us
and driving us forward.
Interestingly, theorists stress that organisational decline is not necessarily
a bad thing. A legitimate reason—surely the best reason—for an organisation
to end its existence is that it has achieved its goals. I’m looking forward to
that final committee meeting, adjourned due to an unexpected shout and
trumpet blast from the skies.
Dr
Kent
Barry
Kingston
Oliver isis assistant
presidenteditor
of thefor
South
Adventist
Pacific Media.
Division.

You see adults behaving worse
than tantrum-throwing children in
parliaments around the world. You
see it on the news—fist fights, hairpulling and chair throwing. You hear
it—verbal abuse, sarcasm and inappropriate language. “Question Time”
is often when such antics occur.
At the recent South Pacific Division
year-end meetings we had an open
“Question Time” when executive
committee members asked questions
about work and issues in the Church.
This was the most dynamic time of
the entire two days of meetings. Most
of the time is spent reviewing reports
and voting policies. Accountability
is vital but it can become somewhat
routine. But not Question Time.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church
is structured as a people’s movement.
Executive committee members are the
representatives of the people. They
hold the leaders accountable and
should have the opportunity to raise
the issues that concern the people
they represent. Thus Question Time.
Involving and retaining young
adults in the Church, children’s, youth
and teen Sabbath School resources,
equality of women in church leadership, church signage and branding
were the issues raised. Because the
grassroots do not often have the opportunity to talk directly to General
Conference personnel many of these
items were addressed to Dr GT Ing,
secretary, Dr Ella Simmons, vicepresident and Tim Aka, associate GC
treasurer. There were differences of
opinion expressed but the GC leaders were open to hearing from SPD
constituents. Motions on equality of
women and Sabbath School resources
for children to youth
were voted to pass
onto the GC. And all
this occurred without anyone raising
their voice or any
physical violence!
I’m proud of the
SPD executive—we do
desire to be a disciplemaking movement.

5

Glenn Townend is president of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church
in the South Pacific.
record.net.au
• DECEMBER 3, 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF
Blasphemy!
At least 50,000 protesters in Jakarta,
Indonesia, called for the province’s Christian
governor, Basuki Purnama, to be prosecuted
for criticising Islamists who misinterpret the
Qur’an. An elderly man died after police used
tear gas and a number of others were hurt in
the melee, with some protesters calling for
the governor’s death.—Al Jazeera

Watch your mouth
An Adventist lay preacher from Georgia,
USA, has taken his religious discrimination
suit to the federal court. In 2014, an
offer to work for the state public health
department was rescinded after human
resources personnel reviewed Dr Eric
Walsh’s YouTube sermons, which included
statements on homosexuality, Islam,
Catholicism and evolution.—Daily Caller

Demon slayer
Tom Cruise is set to star in a Methuselah
movie of dubious biblical accuracy. Rather
than relying on the scant Scriptural
references to the oldest human who ever
lived, the script draws from the apocryphal
book of Enoch, which contains tales of
Methuselah defeating demons with a
magical sword.—World Religion News

They’re out there
Israeli archaeologists will spend three
years carefully searching caves near the
Dead Sea, believing that more ancient
manuscripts await discovery. There are
fears that looters are selling the priceless
artefacts on the black market. The
discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1948
electrified Bible scholars and historians.
—ABC News

No option
Three families from Fiji’s rural Ra district
have been told they cannot continue to
home-school their children as the nation’s
education policies do not allow it. The
families are organic farmers and members
of an independent Adventist group who
want to protect their children from negative
influences at school.—Fiji Times

Getting involved
An Adventist church in north London, UK,
has partnered with emergency services and
politicians to fight gang and knife crime.
The congregation is largely Afro-Caribbean
and well-placed to provide positive links
for alienated local youth. Local MP David
Lammy said Adventists should do good
works every day of the week.—BUC News

Calling all software
developers!
The Adventist Church in the
South Pacific is embarking on
some exciting new digital ministry projects and we need you. We
need a passionate team to further the mission of the church.
If this opportunity excites you,
jump online and apply right
away. We have limited positions.
Send us your resume and a
letter outlining: why you should
be part of the team; your commitment to quality and service;
a healthy respect for Christian
values and ethics.
Sounds like you, right?

*Adventist Media and the Discipleship Team reserve the right to fill these positions at their discretion. Overseas
applicants must ensure they satisfy Australian working visa requirements before applying for this position.

More info & to apply, email:
apply@adventistmedia.org.au
Applications close December 14, 2016

NEWS
Creating vibrant youth for Christ in Fiji
Suva, Fiji

“Vibrant Youth for Christ” was the theme of an inaugural
leadership summit held recently in Suva, Fiji.
More than 130 participants from around the country attended the three-and-a-half-day event at the Fiji Mission
Conference Centre.
“This is the first time we have ever run a leadership
training session specifically for youth,” said Pastor Fifita
Vatulesi, youth director for the Fiji Mission. “Our objective is to empower and strengthen youth leaders and make
sure they are aligned with the Church’s focus—discipleship,
media, health and mission to the cities.”
The summit was opened by Pastor Luke Narabe, president of the Fiji Mission, who talked about the importance
of encouraging youth to be leaders by giving them greater
responsibility, praying for them and encouraging them to
be creative in ministry based on biblical principles.

Participants
also had the
opportunity to
serve during the
summit, taking
donations and
gifts to a nursing
home, juvenile
People of all ages took part in the training.
rehabilitation
centre and
women’s crisis refuge.
“It was an inspiring event—we plan to hold events like
this twice every five years,” Pastor Vatulesi said. “We want
to make sure our youth leaders in Fiji are equipped with
the right resources and skills to do effective ministry and
help make disciples for Jesus.”—Vania Chew

Former Australian PM joins San fun run
Wahroonga, New South Wales

Former Australian prime minister
Tony Abbott was among more than 600
entrants who participated in the Sydney
Adventist Hospital’s Run For Life on
November 13.
Mr Abbott officially started the first
race and competed with San Foundation managing director Barbara Ward
and hospital CEO Phil Currie. Federal MP
Paul Fletcher and State MP Jonathan
O’Dea also took part in the event, which

included a 10km run, 5km run and 5km
walk.
The annual fun run, organised by the
San Foundation, raised almost $A80,000
for the hospital’s Integrated Cancer
Centre and services for cancer patients.
The 5km walk was especially enjoyed
by families, many of whom participated
for loved ones affected by cancer.
Several San doctors and nurses also
took part in the event.—Tracey Bridcutt

“It’s time for a change” was the theme of the recent
Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM) Conference held in Melbourne (November 4-6).
For Adventists, lifestyle health is in our DNA—and has
been for more than 150 years. It is no wonder then that of
the 400 people attending from around the world, 50 were
Adventists.
Adventists also featured prominently as speakers in the
program. Dr George Guthrie, from Florida, president of
the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), made
the opening remarks,
which featured aspects
of Adventist health history and the pioneering
work of the Battle Creek
Sanitarium.
Dr Wayne Designer,
Darren Morton (3rd from L) and Paul
from Loma Linda, CaliRankin (4th) receiving their awards.

fornia, a previous ACLM president, was also a key speaker.
Dr Kate Marsh, a dietitian, educator and author, spoke on
managing diabetes with a plant-based diet and referenced
the Adventist Health Studies conducted by Loma Linda
University researchers.
Dr Paul Rankin, from the Lifestyle Medicine Institute
(Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing), reported on published
and about-to-be-published Complete Health Improvement
Program (CHIP) studies. Dr Darren Morton, from Avondale
College of Higher Education, featured research conducted
by the Lifestyle Research Centre and also reported on a
new emotional health program that he has recently trialled.
Drs Rankin and Morton were among six recipients of
ASLM fellowships awarded during the closing session of
the conference.
Avondale was also acknowledged as one of the two
tertiary institutions in Australia providing accredited post
graduate lifestyle education.—Kevin Price

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

7

DIGGING
INTO THE
WORD

Gary Webster

NEWS
Year-end meetings go paperless
Wahroonga, New South Wales

Footsteps of Jesus 2017
The first century steps leading to
Jerusalem’s Temple Mount are one of the
few places where one can confidently say,
“I am walking where Jesus walked—in His
footsteps.” We are each called to declare
Him who called us out of darkness into
the marvellous lighwt of the gospel. As
individuals and churches we can be more
effective this coming new year if we follow
Christ’s footsteps in how He drew people to
God.
Read 1 Peter 2:9.
Firstly, like Jesus, we must walk with God by
being filled with the Spirit. Only then can the
life of God flow from us to others. To walk
with God is not just to read His Word and
pray, but to love Him and walk in obedience
to His Word. Such loving faithfulness, like
Daniel and his friends, and Desmond Doss,
leads to a tremendous impact on others for
God.
Read Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21,22; 4:1,14; 5:16;
John 14:31; 15:9,10; Daniel 3:16-18,28.
Second, Jesus belonged to an evangelistic
small group who cared for and encouraged
each person in God’s mission to the lost.
Thirdly, Jesus went about doing good to
others, especially through health and healing
ministry.
Read Mark 3:14; Hebrews 10:24,25; Acts
10:38.
Finally, Jesus shared the gospel by words,
both one-on-one and publicly, doing it
prophetically with an urgency. Sadly some
churches and individuals do not proclaim the
gospel publicly or privately in the context
of the three angels' messages. It is part of
Christ’s method to reach end-time people.
This coming new year determine to walk in
all Christ’s footsteps and see the tremendous
impact it will have on others for God.

First century steps that Jesus would have
walked on when He went to the temple.

For the first time, the end-of-year
South Pacific Division (SPD) executive
meetings, held November 14-17, were
paperless.
While there were a few teething
problems, everyone was able to access
the agenda, reports and background
information on their laptop, tablet or
smart phone, saving reams of paper in
Kelvin Peuser, longest-serving
the process.
associate CFO.
“We wanted to save the forests and
be better stewards of God’s creation,”
said SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend.
The experiment was successful, with only one delegate unable to access
the software program Convene. The program also allowed secret voting and
document security.
Another new initiative applied to the meetings was an open question
forum—an hour set aside where delegates could raise issues of concern with
General Conference and SPD leaders that were not on the agenda. Questions raised included youth retention rates, the Gracelink children's Sabbath
School resource and SPD branding.
“The meetings moved quickly,” said Pastor Townend. “Even on points of
disagreement, there was a clear focus that we wanted to get on with God’s
business of making more and better disciples. And the reports reflected that.
They were very focused on how God is changing people’s lives.”
Reports were presented by the secretary and CFO, along with all the
Division entities, including Avondale College, Pacific Adventist University,
Adventist Health Food, Adventist HealthCare and Adventist Media.
The secretary’s report, presented by Pastor Lionel Smith, highlighted
that the SPD’s rate of apostasy is higher than the world average. (Adventist
Record will publish a full report online). The highlight of the CFO’s report,
presented by Rodney Brady, was that tithe has risen by almost 8 per cent
across the Division.
The executive voted to make American Samoa an attached field of the
Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM). It had been part of the Samoas-Tokelau
Mission. It was also decided to rename the North-East Papua Mission (PNG),
the Northern and Milne Bay Mission.
Final amendments were made to the South Pacific edition of the Church
Manual, which includes regional and cultural specific issues. It will be available in early 2017.
The other main changes were regarding personnel. Kelvin Peuser, the
longest-serving associate CFO in SPD history, is leaving after 16 years to
become vice-president of finance and infrastructure at Avondale College of
Higher Education. A prayer and vote of thanks were given to recognise Mr
Peuser’s service.
“I have really admired the thoroughness he has applied to the things he is
responsible for to make sure he makes the right decisions,” Mr Brady said.
Taking Mr Peuser's place is current Australian Union Conference CFO
Francois Keet. Mr Keet spent five years in TPUM prior to his role at the AUC.
Before that he was at Avondale College filling the role Mr Peuser is moving
to. He has worked for GCAST as an auditor and in South Africa as a banker.
“Francois has a very wide background in the Church and outside the
Church in financial matters, seeing things from a number of different angles,”
Pastor Townend said. "I am looking forward to working with him again.”
—Jarrod Stackelroth

FLASHPOINT

Pint-sized visitors bring joy
Victoria Point Adventist Aged Care (Qld) recently
had children from a nearby early learning centre
join them for a day. The children sang with the
residents, shared their favourite books, and gave
plenty of affection through hugs and kisses. “It
was a beautiful morning for both the children
and the residents, and has created opportunities
for an ongoing friendship,” said lifestyle coordinator Patty Gillespie.—Patty Gillespie

Aore graduation blessings
Aore Adventist Academy in Vanuatu
recently held its 2016 graduation weekend.
A special church service was held on
the Sabbath, with 30 students baptised
that same afternoon. The celebrations
concluded on Sunday, with the graduations
of more than 50 students in a colourfully
decorated hall.—Maritza Brunt

Workshop a blooming success
Beautiful blooms became stunning headwear in a recent fundraising initiative organised by Fox Valley church (NSW) member Hannah McDonald. Twenty-five participants attended the flower crowns
workshop, which was a fundraiser for juveniles in crisis. A group from
Ms McDonald’s church has been supporting a number of teenagers
who are facing significant challenges in their lives. “The idea is that we
are going to work with them, build relationships and help them get on
a better path,” she said.—Tracey Bridcutt

Archaeological roadshow
An archaeological display housed in a semitrailer is set to become a reality, with Avondale College chaplain Dr Wayne French and
the North NSW Conference developing and
launching this unique evangelistic resource.
“Archaeology remains one of the best ways
to bring to people’s minds that the Bible is
a trustworthy book,” said NNSW president
Pastor Justin Lawman.—Adele Nash

Inaugural prayer conference
North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference recently held its first
prayer conference. More than 200 people attended the event, held
at Stuarts Point Convention Centre, where Pastor Roy Rugless (USA)
spoke on the theme, “If my people pray for the latter rain”. “Since the
conference, many people have gone back to their churches to encourage them to meet and pray for revival early in the morning,” said Colin
Hone, director of Prayer Ministries for the Conference.—NorthPoint

Karalundi celebrates
More than 200 people gathered at Karalundi Aboriginal Education Centre (WA) to celebrate 30 years since the re-opening of the
centre. The weekend was filled with music,
baptisms, baby dedications and a birthday
cake. A special candle-lighting ceremony
also honoured the original Karalundi founding elders, and gave a charge to the new
generation.—Keith Godfrey

Send your pictures and detail to news@record.net.au

Avondale advocacy takes root
Staff members and students from Avondale
College (NSW) collected 100kg of rubbish and
planted 140 trees in a practical demonstration
of advocacy during Green Week at Avondale.
Other activities included a bicycle riding challenge and rubbish awareness campaign. Green
Week is “an expression of Avondale’s commitment to caring for God’s creation,” said senior
lecturer Dr Brad Watson.—Bethany Morrow

Crafty way to help others
Members of a craft group who meet weekly at Dora
Creek church (NSW) have been busy making baby
wraps to send to Solomon Islands. The group of
women and girls, aged eight to 80, aim to supply
more than 50 wraps to needy mothers in the outlying
islands. They will be delivered by Medisonship, an
Adventist ministry’s medical support vessel, and will
be the second delivery of wraps this year after 55
were dispatched in June.—Steve Boughton

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

9

FEATURE

CYBER-CHURCH:
online evangelism for the digital age
I

MAGINE YOUR TYPICAL CHURCH SERVICE. THERE’S A
welcome, prayer and a few songs. A children’s story
preludes a sermon and everything concludes with a
benediction. Now, imagine experiencing all of this
without leaving your bedroom. No—it’s not Hope Channel
or FaithFM. It’s church, but unlike anything you’ve
experienced before.
It’s called Second Life, an online world where players can
create virtual representations of themselves. It differs from
other online virtual simulations, such as
the popular video game The Sims, in
that each virtual character on the site
is actually controlled by a real person.
Freely accessible to anyone with a
computer and internet access, activities
include exploring the world, building,
shopping, trading virtual property and
services with other virtual residents, and
participating in individual and group activities. And one of
these individual and group activities includes participating in
a church service.
“The development of online virtual worlds created a new
space that allowed people from all over the globe to meet
and connect,” says Bob Curtice, project coordinator for
Second Life from the USA. “But it wasn’t long before a few
Seventh-day Adventists entered this particular virtual world
and had the idea of a mission outreach effort.”
In September 2010, the “Bible Prophecy Island” project
began, with three members of the “Adventists of Second
Life” group starting the first Seventh-day Adventist Church
in Second Life. Regular weekly church services have been

continuing ever since for online members from Australia,
Brazil and the US. In 2011, the group successfully applied for
Global Mission Project funding, using the money to expand
the church.
“This church is unique because it can support up to eight
services conducted in different time zones each Sabbath,”
Mr Curtice explains. “In one of the US services, we’re currently showing a live broadcast from Granite Bay Adventist
Church (California) every Sabbath morning.”
However, the Second Life Adventist Church is more than just a different
way of doing church; it’s an evangelism
effort that has the potential to reach
thousands of online players.
“Of the regular participants in our
weekly Bible studies and church services, more than half aren’t members
and are searching for Jesus,” Mr Curtice
says. “Use of translator tools allows people of different languages to communicate in real time text chat. People who
are homebound found that they could have a home church,
be active members and participate in a real way. The church
members conduct prayer groups, Bible studies and story
hours.”
And this technology hasn’t just impacted non-Adventists.
Zilkron Ahren, an Adventist lay preacher in Brazil, was in a
car accident that left him mostly paralysed, with only one
hand partially useable. But when he was shown the Church
project on Second Life, he was able to preach again for the
church service held in Portuguese.
The virtual world has also made a difference in the

I see evangelism there as
a tool, one more in our
hands to reach people
wherever they are.

10 DECEMBER 3, 2016 • record.net.au

by Maritza Brunt

lives of theology students at
Avondale College of Higher Education (NSW). In 2011, Northern
Australia pastor Daniel Matteo,
then a theology student at Avondale, joined the Second Life site
and became actively involved
with the virtual Adventist Church project.
“Someone emailed me about Second Life and said that
they wanted to put together an Adventist church,” Pastor
Matteo says. “They’d constructed a building and were having
regular services but were struggling to get pastors to preach,
so I organised a roster.”
After preaching regularly, including running evangelistic
seminars on topics such as spiritualism and Revelation, Pastor Matteo had an idea—could he use his sermons in Second
Life as an addition to his studies?
“I still had to work in a local church but the preaching and
Bible studies I did in Second Life contributed to my studies,”
he says.
Senior lecturer at the time, Dr Murray House, says it provided the students with extra opportunities.
“Students could practise their preaching on this and it
gave them an opportunity to attempt real preaching scenarios,” he says.
Despite the evangelistic efforts, however, all Adventist
participants are acutely aware of the dangers of the online
world.
“It is a ‘second life’, and in some cases replaces people’s
real lives,” explains Pastor Matteo, adding that he wouldn’t
be joining the site again. “It’s addictive, and can be potentially destructive.”
Mr Curtice agrees, saying that addictions to gaming and
“role play” games should be taken seriously.
“Second Life is a virtual world and, as such, it allows
people in it to have full expression of what is on their mind,
for good or bad,” he says. “That is what makes its strongest
points and its weakest one.”
But although Second Life is not ultimately a wholesome
environment to spend a lot of time in, the blessings coming from this unique ministry are too good to give up. In
May, the first baptism resulting from the project took place
at Georgetown Adventist Church in California. A man had
been attending the virtual church for the past three years,
and felt impressed to go back to his hometown and study for
baptism.
Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

“We would never encourage people to join the site for
the sake of it,” says Pastor Matteo. “The point was to make
connections that then transitioned into real life connections
through other forms of social media. There were people
playing for 12–18 hours a day, and the fact that we could take
a moment to minister to them was great.”
Mr Curtice also adds that online evangelism should never
replace evangelism in the “real” world.
“Second Life is only a place where people in significant
numbers are found,” he explains. “Consider it a ‘world’ city in
which you will find people from all countries of the real world
interacting with each other 24/7. Many of those people would
never go to a real world church. However, they might consider checking out a presentation in which their real identity
is hidden, to see what it is.
“I see evangelism there as a tool, one more in our hands
to reach people wherever they are. Most of the people currently attending the USA church group services are nonAdventist or estranged Adventists who want to return to the
Church. Often they don't feel they can go to a local church
but the gospel works on their hearts with what is presented,
linked with the online Bible study courses in the island website.”
Pastor Jeff Parker, director of Youth Ministries for the Australian Union Conference (AUC), was involved with Second
Life from 2010, and gave his testimony in the 2011 report.
“I have one unchurched person who has come to our service every week for six months now, and is starting to really
understand who Jesus is and also what we teach as Seventhday Adventists,” he wrote. “Another lady has cerebral palsy
and cannot get out of bed so she would never have had an
opportunity to come to church in real life. I’m so excited
about this outreach method, which has already impacted so
many lives. Would we have reached as many with traditional
methods of evangelism?”
As those involved speak about their experiences, it’s easy
to see how this simple idea was transformed into an evangelistic purpose. That, say the members, is the beauty of media:
anything can be used in order to connect others with God.
“Our key Bible text is Mark 16:15: ‘And He said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every
creature,’” says Mr Curtice. “Jesus’ commission means that
wherever people are found—even in a virtual world—we are
to make every effort to reach them with the gospel message.”
Maritza Brunt is assistant editor for Adventist Record.

NOTE: Second Life, like most of the internet, is a secular environment, with some content rated 18+. Adventist Record recommends
exercising a degree of caution and common sense if participating
in forms of online evangelism.
For more information on the Church’s involvement with Second
Life, contact Greater Sydney Conference president Pastor Michael
Worker: <MichaelWorker@adventist.org.au>

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

11

LETTERS

LETTERS
Note: Views in
letters do not necessarily represent those
of the editors or
the denomination.
Letters should be less
than 250 words, and
writers must include
their name, address
and phone number.
All letters are edited
to meet space and
literary requirements,
but the author’s
original meaning will
not be changed. Not
all letters received
are published. See
Page 4 for contact
details.

BELONGING

James Radley, NSW
What an inspirational
article on belonging to a
wonderful church family of
God that we have at Fox
Valley [church] (Editorial,
October 15).
Being a member for
many years, I’ve seen a lot
of changes take place. I’ve
seen folk come and go and
yet always found it a place
to call home, where you
can feel loved, nourished
and cared for by all who
attend.
It’s so nice to feel that
we belong to the large family of God and as a senior
deacon at Fox Valley, it’s
nice to feel that I personally
find it a place to call home.
It’s always nice to be
able to go away on holidays
and come back to a lovely
place to belong [and find] a
warm embrace and [people
saying] “hi, how are you,
we’ve missed you”, or if
you’ve been sick they send
you a get well card, flowers
or make visits or phone
calls.
I really feel that an article
such as this shouldn’t be
swept under the mat, totally
forgotten about. A place to
belong is a very important
subject that applies to us
all.
The cross of Calvary reminds us that we all have a
place to belong in life. What
a wonderful and glorious
day when at last we can go
home to that wonderful,
splendid heavenly place! I’m
looking forward eagerly to
that day. May it come soon.
Until then we have to try to

12 DECEMBER 3, 2016 • record.net.au

call our little piece of earth
a place to belong.

ALL ABOUT JESUS

Harold, via website

My heart breaks as I
read this heartfelt cry for
something more ("Shadow
of the back door", Feature,
November 19).
Could that something
more be a genuine friendship with Jesus? I couldn't
help but notice that His
name was not mentioned in
the article.
For far too many of us,
the Bible is seen as a list of
dos and don'ts rather than
a love letter from our best
Friend.
Going to church, studying
God's Word, fellowship with
believers, witnessing and
worship should be all about
Jesus.
For example, the Sabbath
is meaningless apart from
the "Lord of the Sabbath";
tithing is meaningless apart
from the knowledge that
Jesus is our business Partner who entrusts us with an
abundance of resources and
offers us 90 per cent of the
profits; the sanctuary doctrine is meaningless if we
don't recognise that Jesus
loves us so much that He
wants to dwell with us and
in us; and the second coming only has meaning as we
see Jesus as the Friend who
wants to rescue us from this
sinful planet and give us an
eternity of joy.
Truly, it's all about Jesus!

STEPPING BACK

Name supplied, via email
When I read the article

"In the shadow of the back
door" it is a story startlingly
similar to my own. So I want
to share what happened to
me after stepping out the
"back door" in the hope that
my experience will help the
author of that article and
others.
When I was younger, I
also genuinely sought God
and had no answer. I felt
as if my prayers went no
further than the ceiling and
God was silent. Eventually I
gave up and simply said to
God, "If You are there and
are real then come and find
me when You're ready." I
occupied the next 15 years
with the "cheap thrills" your
author mentions.
However, while sin can
be fun it is also empty and
unsatisfying and despite
my life being successful by
worldly standards, one day
my wife and I realised there
had to be more to life than
worldly success. I believe
God came and found us.
We turned to God and
enjoyed some wonderful
years where God felt close
and we experienced large
and small miracles in our
lives. Right now, 20 years
later, God feels distant
again. However, this time
it's different because I know
God is real and I understand
that sometimes He wants
to see if we will continue to
trust Him without the miracles and the feelings.
The times when God
seems silent are tough but
don't give up as He is definitely still there and loves
you.

Send your letters to editor@record.net.au

HEALTH FEATURE
with Cathy McDonald

Small choices, big rewards
When we think of weight gain, a few different things most commonly
come to mind. For many, it’s the obvious physical changes such as
whether your clothes still fit or that you are finding it harder to do dayto-day activities. Thinking long-term, you might consider the increased
risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes that comes from being
overweight or obese. But we often overlook the risk of cancer.
British scientists have recently looked at data from 300,000
Americans, monitored for more than 15 years. They found that both
men and women whose body mass index rose from a healthy level
to an overweight or obese level over those years had a significantly
increased risk of various cancers, including breast and bowel,
compared to those who remained at a healthy weight.
This kind of finding is not surprising: there’s a lot of research
linking excess body weight to an increased risk of cancer. It doesn’t
show that simply being overweight causes cancer—it may well be
that certain lifestyle choices that lead to a gradual 15-year weight
gain are the cause. What it does indicate though is that, for most
of us, losing and gaining health is a gradual process.
While “six-week body transformations” and “five-day juice
fasts” make for great headlines, they don’t address the true
basis of health: small, simple choices made daily add up to
lifelong healthy habits. So begin looking for simple ways
you can pack more plant foods into each meal, as well as
ideas to incorporate activity and adequate sleep into
your daily life, to start your sustainable journey to
health.

1. Place the vermicelli in a large heatproof
bowl. Pour in boiling water and leave for 5
minutes or until soft. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a wok, add the garlic and
tofu and stir-fry for a few minutes. Remove the tofu and place on a paper towel.
3. Add Chinese broccoli, capsicum and
carrot to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4
minutes.
4. Add the vermicelli, kecap manis and
vegetarian stir-fry sauce. Add tofu. Toss
over the heat to combine.

ECENTLY I HAD A LONG DISCUSSION WITH
members of the Seventh Day Adventist Reform
Movement (SDARM). SDARM is a small exAdventist offshoot1 that makes the claim, among
many others, that the mainstream Adventist Church is
apostate and numbered in "Babylon".2

Trinity
As proof of our supposed apostasy, it was pointed out
that the Adventist Church endorses as an official belief the
doctrine of the Trinity.3 According to SDARM publication,
Principles of Faith (1925),4 this is supposedly a Catholic
doctrine5 not found in the Bible.6 In response, I simply
asked how they viewed the Godhead then, if not according
to the doctrine of the Trinity?
Did they instead accept Tritheism7 like the Hindus;8 the
worship of Father, Son and Spirit as three separate gods?
No, they didn’t. Did they adopt Arianism9 like Jehovah’s
Witnesses;10 the belief Jesus was a demi-god, created by
the Father? No, they didn’t. Did they accept Modalism11 like
Oneness Pentecostals;12 that Father, Son and Spirit were
not really separate persons but illusory transitory modes?
No, they didn’t.
So what do they believe? It turns out, after hours of
torturous debate, they essentially accepted the Trinity as
we understand it; they just didn’t like the term!13
Were they going out of their way to be misunderstood?
I did point out that there are Christian terms not strictly
found in the Bible, the name “Seventh-day Adventist”
among them. Compare the attitude I encountered in trying
to genuinely understand SDARM with the attitude of the

14 DECEMBER 3, 2016 • record.net.au

apostle Paul in Acts 17, where he refers to a pagan altar
and even quotes pagan poetry to speak in a way his Athenian audience can understand.
Are we embarrassed to be Adventists?
It certainly made me wonder what other hotly contested
disputes are more misunderstandings of terminology
rather than actual differences over doctrine. Even worse,
it seems many Adventists are now embarrassed by many
of our "distinctive" beliefs. Many of us seem to assume,
quite wrongly I might add, that these distinctives are at
odds with "mainstream" Christianity. In fact, this is best
illustrated by three well-known "historic" Adventist beliefs,
often raised by critics against us as supposed proof of our
cult-like status.14
Pre-advent investigative judgement
The first distinctive is the Adventist doctrine of the
pre-advent investigative judgement. A lot of our theology
attaches to this teaching, and it has been the subject of
much controversy within Adventism itself. Suffice to say, its
core message, as the name implies, is that individuals will
be judged in an investigative manner before the second
advent of Jesus.
It might surprise many, including some embarrassed Adventists, to learn that mainstream Christian denominations,
including Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox traditions,
also believe in the pre-advent investigative judgement!
They just happen to call it the “particular judgement” of
the individual, to be distinguished from the later “general
judgement” at the second coming.15

FEATURE
Atonement
The second "proof" of our alleged cult-like status is
the idea that Jesus’ atonement was not completed at the
cross. However, the English word “atonement” is actually
a compound of “at-one-ment”, so it is used by different Christian groups at different times to mean different
things.16
Of course Adventists affirm the Bible’s teaching in Hebrews 10:10 that Jesus’ sacrifice was for once and for all.
It's just that when we use the term “atonement” we traditionally mean it in its broadest sense to cover the entire
plan of salvation, including the eventual destruction of sin
and death itself after the second resurrection.
The idea that Christ still has something “to do” in
heaven, by serving as our High Priest and Intercessor, is a
wholly biblical concept found in Hebrews 4:14. Similarly,
the idea that Christ does not merely save us by His death
but also by His life is a key concept supported by Paul in
1 Corinthians 15:14.
Again, these concepts have long been supported in
mainstream Christian thought. In fact, these exact points
were put forward by Theodore of Mopsuestia during the
5th Century Council of Chalcedon about the nature of
Christ.17
Gift of prophecy
The final frequently used "proof" of our alleged cult-like
status is the Adventist acceptance of a contemporary gift
of prophecy, which we recognise in the ministry of Ellen
White. The problem is, the sort of prophet our critics say
Ellen White was, is not the sort of prophet Adventists understand her to be. Our critics speak a different language.
First, some critics simply assume prophecy can no
longer exist after the apostolic age.18 However, prophecy is simply one spiritual gift listed in Romans 12:6 and
Ephesians 4:11, and there is no biblical suggestion the gift
would stop. The Assemblies of God, a large and influential
denomination, accepts contemporary prophetic ministry.19
As a matter of history, the gift only ceased to have
widespread recognition when the bishops of the ProtoCatholic Church crushed the Montanist Revival in the late
2nd Century. At that time, “church father” Tertullian backed
the Montanist prophets, being executed by the ruling bishops for doing so.20
Even early Christian histories recorded in the Didache
(c.50-150 AD) and the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus
(c.215 AD) mention spiritual gifts, including apostleship,
prophecy, healing and teaching. There is clear historical
evidence for the continuation of spiritual gifts, including
prophecy, well after the Apostolic Age and into at least the
3rd Century AD.
Secondly, our critics speak a different language because
they sometimes adopt an extreme “verbal-inspiration”
view of the gift, which is an unbiblical concept that sees
the prophet as a mere secretary scribing God’s dictation.21
Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

Adventists, by contrast, accept the “thought-inspiration”
model, which Ellen White best explained: “The writers of
the Bible were God's penmen, not His pen . . . It is not the
words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that were
inspired.”22
Jew to the Jew and Gentile to the Gentile
On the one hand it's certainly true that we shouldn’t
overly care what other groups think of us or call us. We
don’t pander to them. Nonetheless, the worldwide mission
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to take the three
angels’ messages to the whole world. This includes a message for our fellow Christians.
If we take this role seriously, we will avoid misunderstandings based on terminology or jargon. We will uphold
our "historic" beliefs but try to go beyond clichés that often
just confuse others—if not ourselves. We will follow Paul’s
advice in 1 Corinthians 9:20: "To the Jews I became like a
Jew, to win the Jews."
1. Technically two offshoots, the “German IMS” and “American Nicolici” branches,
mutually disfellowshipping and calling each other apostate, despite having virtually
identical beliefs: Vance Ferrell, The Adventist Reform Church (Beersheba Springs:
Pilgrim Books, 1988), 6.
2. Gerhard Pfandl, “History of the Adventist Reform Movement,” Biblical Research
Institute (Washington: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 7/03).
3. SDA Fundamental Belief #2.
4. Quoted in A Balbach, Consideration about the Godhead (Sacramento CA: Northwestern Pub. Ass., date unknown), <http://www.sdarm.net/issues/issues.html>.
5. It isn’t. To be accurate, it is a doctrine of the Eastern Orthodox Church formulated
at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which barely involved Rome or the Latin Church in
the West.
6. Not true, but beyond the scope of this article to explore in detail. Simply read John
chapter 1.
7. EA Livingstone, Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford: Oxford
Uni. Pres., 2006), 599.
8. Hindus have their own Trinity called the Trimurti, however, they typically worship
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as three separate gods. Most Hindus favour one of the three
gods over the other two: A Basham, “Trimurti”, Wikipedia, retrieved 30 June 2014.
9. Ibid., 36,37.
10. “Is Jesus Almighty God”, JW.ORG, <http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/is-jesus-almighty/>, retrieved 27 June 2014.
11. Supra n7, 390.
12. “Oneness Pentecostalism”, Wikipedia, retrieved 30 June 2014.
13. There continues to be long-standing confusion within the SDARM about the Godhead, with many denying the Holy Spirit as a personal being or rejecting the divinity
of Christ: Helmut H. Kramer, "The Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement (German
Reform)", Biblical Research Institute, (Washington: General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, 1988), 55.
14. “Criticism of the Seventh-day Adventist Church”, Wikipedia, retrieved 27 June
2014.
15. Angel Rodriguez, “The Judgement and the Second Coming”, Biblical Research
Institute (Washington: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 11/01).
16. Niels-erik A. Andreasen, “Atonement/Expiation in the Old Testament” in W. E. Mills
(ed.), Mercer dictionary of the Bible (Mercer University Press, 1990).
17. Basil Studer, Trinity and Incarnation: The Faith of the Early Church (translated by
Matthais Westerhoff; edited by Andrew Louth; Edinburgh: T&T Clark Ltd, 1993), 202.
18. Sometimes described as “Cessationism”. A good summary is found in “Cessationism versus Continuationism”, Wikipedia, retrieved 27 June 2014.
19. “Prophets and Personal Prophecies”, AG <http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/sptlissues_prophets_prophecies.cfm>, retrieved 27 June 2014.
20. Henry Chadwick, The Early Church (London: Penguin Books, 1993), 52.
21. Angel Rodriguez, “Issues on Revelation and Inspiration”, Biblical Research Institute
(Washington: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 4/05).
22. Selected Messages, 1, 19-22; Manuscript 24, 1886.

Stephen Ferguson is a lawyer from Perth, Western Australia, and member
of Livingston Adventist church.

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

15

D
Re
gis Fo on’t
r
t
De rat get
cem ion
be Clo
r 1 ses
6

South Pacific Division
Church Planting Conference

Multiplying
Disciples

Plan ting Churches

January 30 - February 2, 2017

Who Should Attend?
Church members, pastors, church leaders,
administrators . . . anyone who is passionate
about making disciples and church planting.
We particularly hope that teams of potential
church planters will attend.
With overseas and local speakers, plus over
twenty workshops to choose from, this SPD
Church Planting Conference, with the Holy
Spirit’s leading, promises to be a unique
opportunity to be inspired, empowered and
equipped to join God in His mission on earth.

MY MINISTRY
The Navosa wars and the year of increase
Navosa is a large province in Fiji, extending from the mouth of the Sigatoka River to its source, but our story lies in the upper part of the Sigatoka
Valley, which has lately been dragged into a drug war, prompting negativity,
lawlessness and national condemnation.
This disturbing episode is nothing new to Navosa. In 1867, an Australian
Wesleyan missionary, originally from Britain, Reverend Thomas Baker, was
brutally killed in cold blood, with seven native Fijians from his entourage.
The missionary was eaten and even his shoes were boiled and tasted,
so the story goes. The then Fijian government's constabulary force were
rebuffed in an all out reprisal campaign to punish the killers.
In 1876 a brutal war named the “Little War” broke out because the upper
part of the Sigatoka Valley not only refused to accept Christianity but started
killing and burning villagers in the coastal area who had accepted Christianity. With about 1400 volunteer armed native police and British soldiers, they
were finally overcome. This was the end of all the wars against Christianity in
Fiji.
Even after such a gloomy history, the Lord stepped in, transforming the
hearts of our church members from a warring mindset to soul winning.
Thirsty to participate in evangelistic outreach, they entered bordering villages
that had long been very suspicious of Adventism.
Three months ago, church members from Nelson Palmer Adventist Primary School formed the first "brigade" under their “captain”, Pastor Apisai
Matea, to run an evangelistic campaign at Edrau (Keiyasi) for one month,
concluding in 22 baptisms.
The second brigade, from Draiba church, took over under the same
captain and went to the next village, Wauosi. After a month at Wauosi, 40
people were baptised. Immediately after the baptism, the third brigade—Vatubalavu church—took over, still under the same captain, and moved to the
next village, Nawairabe, for yet another month, culminating in the baptism of
15 souls on November 5, ending a three-month evangelistic campaign.
It is not the number that counts but the unprecedented desire by the
church members to fulfil the gospel commission. There were 25 souls
baptised in Balenabelo Village thanks to brother Simi, a minibus driver from
Lautoka. Three villages up the river, at the village of Nasauvarua, more than
20 women were baptised as men left the village rather than go against a
directive of the chief, who happens to be an Adventist and great-grandson of
the notorious Nawawabalavu, who was responsible for the death of the missionary Thomas Baker in 1867.
We hope that this resurgence and the optimism observed in this part of
the country will continue to illuminate this island so that Jesus will come to
take his faithful people home.
Nanoko church has made a breakthrough by starting a church company at
the approximately 500 household village of Navala. There are no Adventists
in the village.
We praise God for the opportunity, like Private Desmond Doss from the
recent Hacksaw Ridge movie—let's pray for one more person, one more
home and one more village as we focus on Total Membership Involvement
(TMI).
Peni Dakua is president of the Adventist Association For Retired Church Workers.

FEATURE

Finding friends
in a foreign land
by Brenton Stacey

C

HILDREN IN NEPAL ARE JUST LIKE MY CHILDREN:
active, fun-loving, inquisitive and, well, a little bit
naughty. What a relief!
Searching for a sense of normalcy when travelling to a new country is part of the process of acclimatisation.
Nepal is new for me.
I travelled to this multi-ethnic, landlocked South Asian
country with my wife, Kylie, and a mutual friend, Michelle
Villis. With the support of Asian Aid, Kylie and Michelle
presented creative therapy and playful music sessions for
students from two schools. Asian Aid supports the two
schools through working with local partners Community
Service Academy Nepal and 3 Angels Nepal.
Observing the students from the schools reminded
me of the universality of music as a language, and of our
innate need to create. For a country with such a diverse
musical history and with such creative use of colour, the
rhythm of the songs and the blending of pigments are
familiar. Beauty, in whatever form and in whatever culture,
draws us to it.
So, normalcy check: tick.
My search for a sense of normalcy is challenged,
though, by the evolution in our understanding of international development and of its best practice. Balancing the
sometimes competing needs of charities, their donors and
partners and their beneficiaries seems difficult. From what
I’ve seen on this visit, Asian Aid and its partners are managing the tension. Not perfectly but effectively.
Here’s one example, simplified I’m sure, of that tension.
The reasons—necessity, opportunity, safety—for taking a
child out of the family home and placing them in a children’s home or hostel seem legitimate. But what happens
when that child doesn’t want to return to their parents
because they’ve become accustomed to the privileges
of living in the home or hostel? In practical terms, it can
Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

become an
issue for the
partner organisation managing care of the child. When
does the staff member in the home or hostel get time off?
Every choice has a consequence. That’s normal. But
the available choices aren’t always right or wrong—and the
possible consequences aren’t always immediately evident.
So do I have an example of how Asian Aid and its partners are managing the tension? No—I’m not associated in
any formal way with them. Wait. Yes.
The Asian Aid staff members with whom I travelled understand the culture of Nepal and of the partner organisations. They visit often. Face-to-face contact with partner
staff members seems the best way to strengthen relationships and solve problems. What might take weeks to manage via email may take only minutes in person.
And the partner staff members with whom I spoke seem
to appreciate the visits. Discussion in a professional development session I observed flowed freely. Questions were
pointed; answers honest. The tone: respectful.
Here were people from different backgrounds and with
different personalities but with the same passion, doing
their best to comply, empower, improve and integrate.
So, normalcy check: tick.
Yes, Nepal is a new country for me. Yes, it took me time
to acclimatise. And yes, I got sick. But no, Nepal is not a
foreign country. My new Nepali contacts are, at their core,
just like my Australian contacts: dedicated; good natured;
hardworking; intelligent. And the Nepali partner organisations? I understand why Asian Aid works alongside them.
They share the same values.
Fancy having like-minded friends.
Normalcy check: tick.
Brenton Stacey visited Nepal with wife, Kylie, and friend Michelle Villis, in
September and October.

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

17

Discipleship:
cutting through the buzz
Adventist Record's Kent Kingston sat down with Dr
Leigh Rice, who leads discipleship ministries at the
South Pacific Division, to find out what discipleship
really means and how you can get involved.
Kent Kingston: This idea of
“discipleship" seems to be going viral
among Adventists around the South
Pacific region. Why?
Leigh Rice: The Church in the
South Pacific Division (SPD) has been
rediscovering her roots as the disciple-making church-planting movement of the 1800s. It’s an exciting
time as the SPD reflects on the New
Testament church where disciplemaking also went viral and “turned the
world upside down” for Christ.
How has this happened? During
2014-15, Dr Barry Oliver, who was
then Division president, led the SPD
Boards and Executive Committee
through a process to focus the Church
strategically on accomplishing her
God-given mission: to “make disciples
of all people” (Matthew 28:19). These
leaders agreed on a strategic focus of
discipleship utilising Comprehensive
Health Ministry and Comprehensive
Media Ministry with a specific focus

18 DECEMBER 3, 2016 • record.net.au

on Mission to the Cities where there
are large numbers of people without
faith in Jesus.
Our current Division president,
Pastor Glenn Townend, is passionate
about re-creating the early Advent
movement and under his leadership
the Division is financing and structuring to fulfil this mission to “make
disciples”. This was also the focus of
the recent Discipleship Ministry Team
advisory meeting with the ministry
leaders from the four SPD unions.
KK: Sorry to harp on about this but
I get the sense that a lot of people
are still confused about exactly what
“discipleship” means. Is it evangelism?
Mentoring? Something else?
LR: A disciple is a person who in
every way is becoming more like Jesus
Christ (Ephesians 4:15). So discipleship is the process of making better
and more disciples. In the narrow
sense we could say that mentoring is

making better disciples and evangelism is making more disciples. But
Jesus’ model of making disciples was
very relational and this is perhaps the
defining focus of discipleship. Disciples who make disciples, who make
disciples—a disciple-making movement. Or as the parable in Mark 4
says, multiplying “30, 60 and even 100
times”.
KK: Is it possible that Adventist
individuals and congregations have
already been putting discipleship principles into practice but are not aware
of it?
LR: Yes, some individuals and
congregations are making disciples.
But on the whole the focus of the
Church has been on making members
and keeping them safe in the church.
Re-badging what the churches are
already doing will not change them
into a disciple-making movement like
the first century church or the early
Advent movement.
The five activities framework from
Mark 4 will enable individuals and
congregations to evaluate the process
they are following as they allow Jesus
to be Lord of the multiplying harvest.
Leaders who follow Jesus’ model will

FEATURE
make disciples and mentor these disciples to make disciples who mentor
those to make disciples. One of our
catchphrases is “we become disciples
as we make disciples”.

TIP
UL L

ST *

M

Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

RVE
HA

ence. I am inspired by churches meetKK: So if there’s someone reading at 5:30 every morning to pray and
ing this article who’s fired up by what
are seeing miracles happen as they
you’re saying and wants to be a discimake disciples. They are preparing the ple, to make disciples and to help their
soil as are people in Tasmania who
church understand and embrace this
are feeding the homeless and sharing
mission, where should they start?
KK: So do you mean that congreJesus. I know of church members in
LR: Disciple-making is best done
gations who are serious about being
Adelaide who are visiting their comin community. This is true both for
disciples and making disciples might
munity and offering people Beyond
making better disciples and more
need to actually re-examine their
DVDs. The number of people who
disciples. This was Jesus’ method. So
weekly activities, their yearly calenwill take a second and a third DVD on
the starting point for me is studying
dar and even their church offices and
subsequent visits is amazing. They are Jesus’ method. Pray for God’s guidstructure?
sowing the seed.
ance and the power of the Spirit as
LR: If what we are doing and how
I see it happening with Pastor Nick
you begin this journey. Seek out likewe are doing it today was as effective
Kross here at the SPD office who, as
minded members who want to be part
in growing the kingdom as the early
he launched the World Changers Bible of a disciple-making movement. As a
days of the Advent movement, then it
and trained youth across the Pacific
group commit to exploring the Gospel
could be business as usual. But alas it
to become disciple-makers, was conof Mark with one or more non-beis not. Little in nature grows without
victed that he needed to be making
lievers that God has led to you. Follow
following the process of preparing
disciples himself. His simple prayer
the relational Bible reading approach
the soil, sowing the seed, cultivatwas, “Lord, You know how busy my
of reading the story in three differing the plant, harvesting the crop and
life is; You will have to bring interestent translations, re-telling the story
multiplying the harvest. You cannot
ed people to me.” And God did. Nick
and then asking the questions, What
skip a step.
has seen people baptised each year as is new to me? What surprises me?
Churches need to reflect on their
the Spirit has created these divine ap- What will I apply to my life? What will
ministries and see if they really are
pointments. He is harvesting the crop.
I share with a non-believing friend?
taking people through the process
Many of the young people trained
Certainly seek support from the
and have ministries in all five of the
across the Pacific could tell more stopastor and leadership team in your
disciple-making activity areas. Also
ries of how the five activities process
congregation and the conference/
our members need to know how they
is working for them. The Church will
mission, union and Division offices
can be involved in the process perbecome a movement as more and
are also here to help and resource.
sonally. Some will be good at preparmore members, leaders and conferTogether let’s pray to the Lord of the
CHILDREN
ing the soil, others better at cultivating ences/missions grasp the mission of
harvest and live with optimistic hope
and the like.
better
and more
disciples
of 9:38, LUKE
that
the final generation—a
JESUS ISmaking
THE LORD OF
THE MULTYPLYING
HARVEST
MATTHEW
10:2,this
JOHNis
4:35-38
Jesus Christ.
disciple-making movement.
KK: But what does it look like in
practice? Can you give some examples of individuals or churches who
PREPARE THE SOIL
SOW THE SEED
1. Visit with people to connect. Hear their story.
1. Engage by sharing your personal story
are successfully implementing the full
Visit the sick and in prison (Matt 25:35-40)
of faith (Acts 26:1-23)
2. Share Jesus’ message of salvation from
2. Eat with people to connect (1 Cor 11:33, Luke 15:2)
discipleship cycle?
3. Pray with people to connect
the Bible (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:13; 10:9)
Pray for healing / against demons (Luke 13:32) /
3. Read the Gospel of Mark together
LR: I see it happening in places
intercessory prayer (James 5:15)
Pray for persons of peace / influence (John 4:4-43)
across the South Pacific Division, both
Prayer walks (Joshua 6)
Prayer for helpers (Matt 9:35-38)
with individuals and in congregations.
4. Serve people to connect
Feed poor and provide clothing (Matt 25:35-40)
HE
New disciples and church leaders are
Play with children (Matt 19:14)
YT
Help establish businesses (2 Kings 4:2, Col 3:23)
Heal people through health journeys like CHIP,
taking seriously the mission to make
Depression Recovery ... (Luke 9:6)
disciples. A young pastor from Vanuatu who went on the Discipleship Study
CULTIVATE THE PLANTS
HARVEST THE CROP
1. Keep teaching them to pray and learn the
1. Visit and eat with people
Tour last year has grasped the role of
Bible stories / doctrines themselves
2. Teach them to pray as a conversation
(Hebrews 6:1,2)
thanks, praise, confession, intercession
leadership in “preparing the saints for
2. Involve them in the 5 purposes of the church
(1 Thess 5:16-18, 1 Tim 2:1,2)
(Acts 2:42-47)
3. Teach them how to learn from Jesus for
ministry” and is seeing his churches
a. Connect (Hebrews 10:24,25; Ephesians 2:15)
themselves from the Bible:
b. Grow (Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:13-15)
– Read the story and retell the story
begin to multiply. He is multiplying the
c. Serve (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Answer questions:
d. Share (Acts 20:24)
a. What does this say about people?
harvest.
e. Worship (Romans 12:1,2; Psalms 27:6)
b. What does this say about God/Jesus?
2. Develop leaders who
MULTIPLY
3. Let the Holy Spirit lead people to use their gifts
c. What can I believe?
train
leaders
(2
Tim
2:2)
THE HARVEST
(1 Corinthians 12)
d. What can I do?
I hear of church members and
a. Teach
4. Invite them to join the church family through
e. Who can I tell?
1. Identify Leaders
b. Model, let them watch
the public declaration of baptism (Matt 28:19)
4. Introduce them to more mature disciples
young pastors planting churches in
(Mark 6:12)
c. Watch them do it
5. Plant a church if need be (Acts 16:5)
for spiritual support.
d. Let them do it
Sydney and the North NSW Confer-

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

19

NOTICE BOARD
APPRECIATION
Knight. Julie, Carolyn, Greg,
Janeen and the extended family
of the late Patricia Knight, offer
a heartfelt thank you to all who
have expressed condolences at
their mother’s recent passing.
Each card, email, phone call,
SMS and floral arrangement
encouraged and strengthened the
family in their resolve to “be like
Jesus” so they will be reunited at
His second coming. Come Lord
Jesus, Come.
Livingston. The family of the
late Pastor Eric Livingston wish
to convey their thanks to all
who have supported them with
flowers, messages, cards and
comfort, as well as in practical
ways. Maranatha.

OBITUARIES
Adams, Ruth Marian (nee
Woods), born 17.3.1958; died
21.8.16 in Toowoomba, Qld.
She is survived by her parents
Maurice and Marjorie Woods
(Gympie); siblings Kay Heaton
(Toowoomba), Susan Johnson
(Melbourne, Vic) and Rodney
Woods (Bonnells Bay, NSW); children Brendan, Brian, Kurt, Katika
and Keirralee; and granddaughter
Eloise. Ruth was a wonderful
mother and caring grandmother.
For five years she continued
her work as a foster carer while
bravely battling cancer.
Rodney Woods
Baines, William Arthur,
born 12.4.1912 in
Herefordshire, UK;
died 17.10.16 in
Brisbane, Qld. He was predeceased by his first wife Elwin,
second wife Edna and daughter
Judy. He is survived by his
children Joy, Ross and Kerryn; 13
grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren (two deceased) and six

great-great-grandchildren. In
1928 Bill migrated to Australia
where he joined the Adventist
Church. He attended Avondale
College and in his third year of
ministerial studies was sent to
Mussau Island (PNG) then Manus
Island with his new wife Elwin.
After contracting Blackwater
fever Bill was sent back to
Australia where, sadly, Elwin died
giving birth to their second child.
He had two children with his
second wife Edna Revell. His love
for the mission fields was so
great that in retirement he began
a ministry of collecting and
sending thousands of items of
goods and clothing to PNG and
the Solomons. His amazing life
spanned more than a century and
in his own words Bill loved every
minute of his life “working for
God, and with God”.
Judy Fua
Collins, Edward Claude, born
1.11.1922 in Eye, Suffolk, UK; died
29.9.16 in Victor Harbor, SA. On
11.8.1971 he married Janice Edge.
He is survived by his wife; stepdaughter Leanne and husband
Phil; granddaughters Tamara and
Allison. Claude was a man of
great faith, a life-long student of
the Bible and a true gentleman.
George Hirst
Ehlers, Manfred, born 5.3.1935 in
Germany; died 12.9.16 in Valley
View Nursing Home, Adelaide,
SA. He was predeceased by his
wife Annamarie, whom he married in Othfresen, Germany, in
1958. He is survived by Daniele
and her son Ian, Helen and Rick.
The family mourn his passing and
look forward to Jesus’ second
coming.
Stephen Bews
Ferris, Merele Maioma (nee
Johanson), born 13.3.1915 in
Warburton, Vic; died 11.10.16 in
Nunawading. She was predeceased by her husband Oliver
in 2003. She is survived by her
children Roderick Ferris (Benalla),
Carole Platt, (Mullumbimby, NSW)
and Christine Small (Wantirna
Vic); grandchildren Michael,
Jonathon, Angela, James,
Stephen, David, Karyn and Ben;
and great-grandchildren Aynton,
Jensen and Kyron. Merele attended Nunawading church for 61
years, serving as an organist and
church clerk.
Josh Wood, Tony Campbell

Gilbert, Etma Hope (nee Codling),
born 5.7.1923 in South Australia;
died 13.8.16 in Bendigo, Vic. She
was predeceased by her husband
Rodger. She is survived by four
children, two grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren.
Chrissie Cooper
Irvine, Annette Jean (nee Sharp),
born 26.10.1935; died 21.6.16
in Gympie, Qld. She married
Richard Irvine on 14.2.1963. She
is survived by her husband (Gympie); her sons and their spouses
Bradley and Kaylene, Kenny and
Kara (all from Cooroy); and her
grandsons Nathan and Joshua.
Frank J Williams
Knight, Lucille Patricia
Marien (nee Twartz),
born 7.7.1920 in
Sydney, NSW; died
31.8.16 in Brisbane, Qld. On
18.4.1946 she married Ronald
Victor Knight, who predeceased
her in 1987. Patricia is survived by
her children and their spouses:
Julie Catton-Knight (Babinda),
Carolyn and Geoffrey Catton
(Brisbane), Gregory and Simona
Knight (Banora Point, NSW) and
Janeen Knight (Brisbane,Qld);
seven grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren. Patricia
studied medicine in Sydney
during World War II, worked in
private medical practice in
Brisbane for more than 50 years
and in retirement became a
qualified hospital chaplain,
working as a volunteer until she
turned 88. She served her
community as a member of
Quota International.
Bob Possingham, Barry Oliver,
Ted White
Livingston, Dr Eric
Murray, born 11.7.1946
in Sydney, NSW; died
1.10.16 in Cooranbong.
He is survived by his wife
Carolyn; children Paul, Daniel and
Renee; and grandchildren Tahlia
and Ethan. Eric served the Church
as pastor in four states of
Australia, theology lecturer in
Australia and overseas, and
senior elder. He was a dedicated
scholar and mentor, with a high
view of Scripture, a deep and
practical faith, and an insatiable
desire to more completely
understand God’s revelation. Eric
was heard to shout “Hooray!” at
the promise of the resurrection.
Barry Harker

Long, June Glennie, born
21.6.1922 in Glen Innes, NSW;
died 11.9.16 in Kings Langley
Retirement Village, NSW. She
was predeceased by her husband
Norm in 2013. June is survived by
her family Ken and Wendy (Sydney), Jenny and Wayne (Brisbane,
Qld) and Carolyn and Wayne
(Sydney, NSW); grandchildren
Deni-Ka, Jay-min, Nathan and
Emily; and great-grandchildren
Jonathan and Lucille. June’s
family were her great joy. She
believed in contagious generosity to her church, Asian Aid and
people.
Stephen Bews
Madden, John Sinclair,
born 27.4.1920 in
Geelong, Vic; died
14.8.16 in Stawell. He
was predeceased by his wife
Marie (nee Beuhne). He is
survived by his daughter Sharon
and son John; nine grandchildren;
and nine great-grandchildren.
Jack enlisted in the Australian
Imperial Force in 1941, served in
the Middle East and was
discharged in 1944. He was an
active member of Stawell church
and well known for his love for
his Lord, wisdom, knowledge and
sense of humour.
Justin Bone
Maywald, Ruth Irene (nee Lomman), born 2.9.1923 in St Morris,
Adelaide, SA; died 19.9.16 in
North Adelaide. On 3.11.1947 she
married David Maywald. She was
predeceased by her husband in
2015. She is survived by her children and their spouses Noel and
Sylvia (Athelstone), Cheryl and
Lester Raethal (Sydney, NSW);
and granddaughters Clarissa and
Anita. Ruth was a member of
Trinity Gardens church, serving in
many areas, including children’s
ministries and as a deaconess.
She also set a record for being
the fastest Weet-Bix packer at
the Adelaide Sanitarium Health
Food factory in the years following World War II.
Wolfgang Stefani
McHarg, Peter (Pops), born
8.6.1919 in Prome, Burma; died
19.9.16 in Avondale Retirement
Nursing Home, Cooranbong,
NSW. He was predeceased by
his wife Chickoo and son Ken. He
is survived by his children Peter,
Winston, Winsome, Thelma and
Merrilyn; 11 grandchildren; and
17 great-grandchildren. Peter

record.net.au • DECEMBER 3, 2016

21

NOTICE BOARD
and his young family moved from
Burma to India, and then to Victoria, Australia, where they raised
their family. He was an avid
health enthusiast and a talented
boxer and had a daily workout
regimen well into his 90s. He
was a quite reflective man and
learned much from his questioning spirit.
Bob Bolst, Roger Nixon
Plewa, Ema, born 16.8.1928; died
27.8.16 in Allambi Nursing Home,

Adelaide, SA. On 2.9.1949 she
married Szymon Plewa. She is
survived by her husband (Adelaide); sons and their spouses
Henry and Moira (Adelaide), and
Andrew and Joanna (Melbourne
Vic); and grandchildren William,
Jeremy, Jessica and Jonathan.
Ema used her God-given talents
to befriend people and share her
love for God. She was a loving
Christian lady, unassuming and
always eager to help others.
Jan Pollok

ADVERTISING
Absolute Care Funerals is an
Adventist family-owned and
operated business, caring for you
in Sydney to Newcastle and Wollongong. Contact Arne Neirinckx,
who understands our Adventist
philosophy, on 1300 982 803 or
mobile 0408 458 452. Call us
even if you have already prepaid
your funeral. Email <arne@
absolutecarefunerals.com.au

Finally . . .

Everyone thinks of
changing the world,
but no-one thinks of
changing himself.
—Leo Tolstoy
Next RECORD Dec 24

POSITIONS VACANT
Financial accountant—Sanitarium (Auckland, NZ). Our finance
team is looking for a detail conscious, accurate and highly organised
person to join their team. This is a varied role that will require you
to be involved in all aspects of the company, responsible for month
end reporting and distribution of financial reports and overseeing
accounts payable function. To be considered for this role, you
will need to have proven experience in a financial accounting
related role, along with a practical understanding of compliance
requirements. Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy are
essential for the position, as is an accounting qualification and
membership of a relevant professional association. It is important
that you have a strong focus on customer service and delivery,
as well as good planning and organisational skills and the ability
to meet deadlines. Excellent interpersonal communication and
problem solving skills are essential. Enquiries to <human.resources@
sanitarium.co.nz>. To apply, visit <www.sanitarium.co.nz/about/joinour-team>. Applications close December 16, 2016.
Director, Student Life Services—Avondale College of Higher
Education (Lake Macquarie Campus, NSW). A fantastic opportunity
exists for a suitably qualified and experienced person to manage
and administer the student life support services of the college. The
primary objective of the position is to foster the spiritual, academic,
social and physical wellbeing of students so as to enable each
student to maximise their potential for personal development. For
a full job description please visit <www.avondale.edu.au/information/employment>. Applications, with a statement addressing the
selection criteria and contact details of at least three referees, should
be emailed to <employment@avondale.edu.au>. Applications close
December 9, 2016.
Centre director/nominated supervisor—Early Learning Centre,
Hills Adventist College (Sydney, NSW). The successful applicant
will be a practising and involved member of the Adventist Church and
ideally have a minimum of five years’ experience in early learning
centres, together with qualifications allowing you to be a nominated
supervisor. A current Working with Children Check clearance is essential. The core competencies of this role are day-to-day management and organisation of the Early Learning Centre; provision of a
high quality program of care and education for the children attending
the centre; daily supervision and development of the centre staff;
effective communication with parents and relevant stakeholders in
regards to centre activities, including forward planning; networking
and linking of the centre with Hills Adventist College; ensuring work
health and safety compliance and reporting. Applicants need to have
a current work visa for Australia and the position may be filled prior
to closing date. For more information and a detailed position profile,
please contact Ian Low (Human Resources Officer) on (02) 8876 5240
or email <ianlow@adventist.org.au>. Applications close December
9, 2016.

Office personal assistant, Education Department—South
Queensland Conference (Spring Hill, Qld). Expressions of interest
for this position are now being received. The applicant should be a
practising Seventh-day Adventist who is committed to serving the
mission of the Church, is energetic and possesses good personal
skills. Competence in computer software packages, office management and core office-based skills are essential for this role. Send
applications with CV to the General Secretary, South Queensland
Conference, 400 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, Qld 4000, (07) 3218
7777 or <colinrenfrew@adventist.org.au>. A position profile is
available from the Conference general secretary. The Conference
reserves the right to make an appointment. Applications close January 13, 2017.
Public relations coordinator—Adventist Church Australia. The
successful applicant will hold a public relations/communications degree, have 3 to 5 years’ experience and ideally be based in Sydney.
You will coordinate and implement a communications program on
behalf of the Adventist Church (Australia). Responsibilities include:
liaising with key stakeholders; coordinating and developing communication materials; coordinating feedback and sign-off on communications materials with key stakeholders; assisting in the formation
of supportive plans and activation related to the overall strategy;
coordinating planning meetings of the sub-committee; and assisting
with other related meeting arrangements. You will need a strong
working knowledge of the Adventist Church in Australia and its
institutions. This is a six-month contract, 30 hours per week, with an
immediate start. The Australian Union Conference reserves the right
to fill the role prior to the close of applications date. Applications,
together with CVs, resumes and references, should be submitted in
writing to Pastor Tony Knight (Australian Union Conference Human
Resources Coordinator), 289 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood, Vic, 3134;
or by email to <tonyknight@adventist.org.au>. Applications close
December 7, 2016.
AdSAFE vacancies (Stage 2)—South Pacific Division. AdSAFE
Ltd is a new service that is owned and operated by the Seventh-day
Adventist Church (SPD) Limited. It is superseding the current Safe
Place Services (SPS), commencing operations in early 2017 and providing protective services for children and vulnerable adults across
the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia, New Zealand and in
time the wider South Pacific region. AdSAFE Ltd is seeking expressions of interest for the following roles:
Safeguarding manager
Case officer (survivor support)
Case officer (offender and investigations management)
Redress officer (contract)
For more information on each of the above roles and to apply,
please visit <www.adventistemployment.org.au>. Applications
for the above vacancies close January 29, 2017.

Sign up for job updates and find more vacant positions at <adventistemployment.org.au>

22 DECEMBER 3, 2016 • record.net.au

Create

a Brighter Future
for people in need this Christmas

Give a meaningful gift to help people gain the skills they need to support
themselves and build a better future for their families.
TO DONATE VISIT: ADRA.ORG.AU/CHRISTMAS

I want to create a brighter fututre for people in need! Please accept my gift of: $ _________
Name:
Suburb:

Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia Ltd. ABN 85 109 435 618 www.adra.org.au 1800 242 372
CHURCHFR>RECORDAD16/17 Gift Type: CHR
Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. If donations for a particular fund exceed those needed, ADRA will reallocate the surplus funds to a similar project or within the country
or project type you’ve chosen. ADRA Australia collects personal information to help provide relevant service and communication to our supporters. If you do not wish for this to
happen please notify us by phone, mail or email. For full Privacy Policy see adra.org.au